Guys! I’m being way too spoiled here…today was another absolute perfect day. I can’t complain 😉
First up, where it all began!
Do you even REMEMBER that???!!
My mom and I ventured over to the Murphy-Goode tasting room today, where it really ALL began, and Hardy gave us a wonderful tasting. Murphy-Goode is still so close to my heart….I love those guys! And that wine!
Mmmm I love me some MG wines….’specially that All In and Terra a Lago! It’s so funny the way life works out. I really feel still like I’m some surrogate/dysfunctional member of the Murphy-Goode family. 😉
Next up on the agenda: Lancaster Estates!
This place was……stunning.
This place just was amazing. I adored their Cuvee and Sauvignon Blanc. What a wonderful, breathtaking experience!
Winetasting #3 for the day was Stonestreet! Talk about picturesque!
We picked up some cheese at a little general store along the way and staged our own wine and cheese pairing, with the most scenic overlook I could ever imagine.
The wine and cheese were great, but the view was killer.
We ended up canceling our reservations at The Estate (sad!) because neither of us felt like driving 45 minutes to Sonoma. So we just ended up staying in Healdsburg and dining at one of my very, very favorites, Zin Restaurant. Zin is one of those places that is very near and dear to me because it was the FIRST restaurant that I ate in in Healdsburg and then I actually had the great honor of dining at Jeff and Susan’s (the chefs and owners) home last month. I love everything about this restaurant….everything is sustainable and local…it just oooooozes California!
We started out with my favorite, “figs in a blanket”:
Fresh figs, local blue cheese, proscuitto and puff pastry…..drool.
We all ordered the same thing: Sunday Blue Plate Special.
Southern fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits, mashed potatoes and collard greens. You can take the girl out of the South but you CLEARLY can’t take the South out of the girl. 😉
I’d say this was one of the better meals I’ve had in…….months. Everything about it was perfect. I got some honey, squeezed it over my biscuits, closed my eyes and dreamed I was back in Tuscaloosa before a home game…or in my tiny pink house deep in the Charleston Lowcountry. I love California, but gosh…I do miss the South.
Drank some fabulous Zinfandel with dinner and we were way too stuffed for dessert. ‘Bout to take a bubble bath and cuddle in bed with my book. Ahh the feeling of being perfectly content. I love it.
Have a fabulous night!
ellen eats beets
November 15, 2009 at 8:18 pmSounds like a wonderful day with your mom!!
Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)
November 15, 2009 at 8:19 pmLove the pictures of your Mom and you in front of the gorgeous landscape! Those are frameworthy!
Figs in a blanket?! Oh boy, I’m thinking I have to try this Zin place ASAP upon moving back to Northern CA. Hopefully that item will still be on the menu come Fall 2010.
Katherine
November 15, 2009 at 8:24 pmSounds and looks like the perfect day with your mother!!
Katherine
November 15, 2009 at 8:25 pmLooks like a beautiful, perfect day with your mother!
Jenna
November 15, 2009 at 8:27 pmwow jenna! the winery and pictures look amazing!
glad you had a nice day with your mom 🙂
jenna
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
November 15, 2009 at 8:29 pmYou and your Momma are so so so so cute!! Figs in a blanket=heaven in my mouth….well your mouth!! haha Beautiful shots!
Marissa
November 15, 2009 at 8:31 pmWhat a fun day and evening with your mom 🙂 Great photos!
Lizzy
November 15, 2009 at 8:31 pmyou and your mom are soo pretty! She sure did raise one wonderful lady! Dinner looks amazing! 🙂 glad you enjoyed!
Lele
November 15, 2009 at 8:34 pmI am so in love with the idea of figs in a blanket! I would love to make them but, unlike (lucky!) you, do not have access to beautiful fresh ripe local figs. So tragic.
amber
November 15, 2009 at 8:35 pmwow looked like an amazing day!! I still think you need to apply for Check Please! and review Zin!!!!
Liz
November 15, 2009 at 8:36 pmSeriously sounds like the perfect day to me!
Jen (Running With Cake)
November 15, 2009 at 8:39 pm“Figs in a blanket” – how charming and I’m sure delicious! Great pic of the wine cellar at Lancaster Estates.
legalstyle
November 15, 2009 at 8:41 pmi remember thinking that figs in a blanket were genius the last time you went to zin, but now i’m even more psyched. i reeeeally want to make those. thanksgiving? hm!
Joelle (The Pancake Girl))
November 15, 2009 at 8:49 pmLove it- figs in a blanket instead of PIGS haha sounds yummy!
Kara
November 15, 2009 at 8:52 pmSounds like you and your mom had an AMAZING day! Your photos are so fantastic; I feel like I can taste that biscuit from thousands of miles away! Man, I’d be about 500 pounds if I ever lived in California… 😉
Cynthia (It All Changes)
November 15, 2009 at 8:59 pmLooks like a blast. I’ve had those days where I don’t want to drive to a great restaurant so we just eat at some local favorites. I’m sure you mom enjoyed Zin.
*Andrea*
November 15, 2009 at 9:02 pmgorgeous scenery. you and your mom look so much alike!!!
Carissa
November 15, 2009 at 9:15 pmWhat a great time! Can I trade you places for a day? 😉
Renee
November 15, 2009 at 9:31 pmI had collard greens tonight too!! Gotta love the south (I’m from Louisiana!!)
Have fun with your mom!
stephanie
November 15, 2009 at 9:44 pmFrom one relocated Southerner (Atlanta Ga) in California (L.A.) to another, I TOTALLY know what you mean! I want sweet tea! And now I miss my Momma! I’m sure yours is loving every second of being in Healdsburg, but mostly being with you! Soak up all the love.
Suzanne de Cornelia @ www.suzannedecornelia.com
November 15, 2009 at 9:51 pmWith your new camera the vibrant photo quality makes everything seem like almost there….views and dinner look fantastic. So nice that you and your mother are enjoying such a wonderful time together. Wonder what Dex is up to when your gone?
Hillary @ Nutrition Nut on the Run
November 15, 2009 at 9:51 pmSo glad to read you’re HAPPY, Jenna : ) The pix of you and your mom are priceless.
Mama Pea
November 15, 2009 at 10:19 pmI love the picture of you and your mom laughing. That is definitely frame worthy. But not my frame, that’d be creepy.
Julie
November 15, 2009 at 10:31 pmOh Jenna, your hair is so pretty! Mine’s the same color, but my bangs won’t fall the same way yours do. Feel the envy. : )
Morgan @ Life After Bagels
November 16, 2009 at 2:34 amMan you really must love what you do, since you are always hanging around wineries with friends and fam!
christie, honoring health
November 16, 2009 at 2:38 amWow, love the shots of you an your mom together, the love you have for one another just oozes out of them. I’m glad you are having such an awesome time with her.
maria
November 16, 2009 at 3:12 amNo, you surely can not take the South out of the girl. I am from Kentucky and I will always be a Southern girl, through and through. No matter where life takes me.
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
November 16, 2009 at 3:42 amLooks like such a wonderful day!
Emma Ruth @runningonoats
November 16, 2009 at 4:14 amsounds perfect! the south certainly misses you!
ps. love the brie. i think i ate a whole slice this past weekend at a wedding:)
Emma Ruth @runningonoats
November 16, 2009 at 4:14 amsounds perfect! the south certainly misses you!
ps. love the brie. i think i ate a whole slice this past weekend at a wedding:)
Susan
November 16, 2009 at 4:22 amFigs in a blanket sound awesome! So funny how we never realize how awesome our hometowns are until we leave… It will make your first trip back home all the more special 🙂
Anne P
November 16, 2009 at 4:58 amgahhhhhhhh!!!! i can’t wait to come visit 🙂 amazingness.
p.s. i have my own domain and a new design now!!! come see 🙂
Paige (Running Around Normal)
November 16, 2009 at 5:01 amThose pictures of the views are amazing! It’s like you’re on a permanant vacation! Lancaster is definitely stunning.
Estela @ Weekly Bite
November 16, 2009 at 5:03 amWhat beautiful pictures!
Looks like the perfect Southern Meal!
Krista@CommitmentisLiberating
November 16, 2009 at 5:07 amYour pictures are really improving! Looks like an amazing day!
Abby (Abbys Vegan Eats)
November 16, 2009 at 5:07 amBeautiful pictures.. So glad you had fun with your mamma 🙂
Madeline @ Greens and Jeans
November 16, 2009 at 5:21 amWhat a great day and some truly beautiful pictures! Can we trade lives for a few days? Please?
Erin
November 16, 2009 at 5:25 amWow, that view is just indescribable. Stunning.
Kristie Lynn
November 16, 2009 at 5:39 amYou and your mom are so precious! So glad you two get to spend some quality time together 🙂
Jessie
November 16, 2009 at 5:43 amThis all looks like som much fun. I want to come visit California!
Caitlin
November 16, 2009 at 5:59 amyour dinnner looks so comforting!
btw your mom is so pretty 🙂
Erin
November 16, 2009 at 6:03 amThose pictures of you and your mom are framers! Too cute 🙂
You’re inspiring me to feel and look that excited about life Jenna!
justrun
November 16, 2009 at 6:07 amI have a friend that lived in Sonoma for five years and she always said the only way to do it is ALL THE WAY. Looks like you’re doing just that!
skinnyrunner
November 16, 2009 at 6:14 amwhat a wonderful day spent with your mom! the pictures of you and her are so adorable.
Kelly from Bridges and Bites
November 16, 2009 at 6:27 amOh my goodness, it all looks so beautiful! I’m not going to lie, I’m super jealous looking at those pictures!
laura dishes
November 16, 2009 at 6:42 amWhat a wonderful day! I have never been to Estate- it used to be General’s Daughter, and that place was just amazing!
Beth @ DiningAndDishing
November 16, 2009 at 6:42 amawww glad to see you and your mom are having fun! i bet she’s never going to want to leave :O)
brandi
November 16, 2009 at 6:42 amwhat a beautiful fun day with your mom 🙂 you two look so much alike!
Lisa
November 16, 2009 at 6:48 amWow, that all looks fantastic! What a perfect way to spend the day!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
November 16, 2009 at 6:53 amWhat a nice day and dinner with your mom! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Sabrina (RhodeyGirl Tests)
November 16, 2009 at 7:00 amHaving your mom there in Cali with you for the week must feel so rejuvenating. Enjoy it! Also, I’ve never had a biscuit, isn’t that crazy??
Evan Thomas
November 16, 2009 at 7:25 amFigs in a blanket sound too cute!
Lisa
November 16, 2009 at 7:30 amOh, how I miss my mom when I see your pictures! Thankfully, Thanksgiving and a trip “home” is next week. Enjoy your time with her!
Eve
November 16, 2009 at 7:32 amLooks like an amazing day! It’s so cool that you’re living there, I had a wonderful time when I visited the Napa area 1 1/2 yrs ago. Your dinner reminds me of the dinner I had at Ad Hoc in Yountville, one of Thomas Keller’s restaurants. He serves one meal only per night, and when we went it was fried chicken! Now I don’t eat fried chicken very often, but it was quite amazing 🙂
Katherine (blissful-body)
November 16, 2009 at 7:47 amas a southern gal myself – you really can’t take it out of you! even if you try! especially when i am around my mom – the southern love really comes out! did you go to cofc? i did and graduated (probably much earlier that you) in 2003. i love charleston, too!
Nancy in Naples
November 16, 2009 at 7:57 amMade us smile seeing you having such a good time with your Mom . . . enjoy! BTW, your pictures are getting better and better!
Lauren @ Eater not a runner
November 16, 2009 at 8:01 amfigs in a blanket?! that looks amazing!
Vanessa (Last Night's Leftovers)
November 16, 2009 at 8:30 amWhat a nice day! Hope you enjoyed your time with your mom. 🙂
Stephanie
November 16, 2009 at 8:42 amYou look a lot like your mom! What a fantastic day to have shared together in beautiful wine country…
mary ann (lilpauladean.wordpress.com
November 16, 2009 at 8:44 amthat better be a lil ball o’ butter next to those bicuits, haha
MA
Betty
November 16, 2009 at 9:07 amOK, Murphy-Goode looks like the best place to work ONTHEPLANET.
Lucky you!
diana(mymarble rye)
November 16, 2009 at 9:12 amMmm…I’m a southern girl and I think I can never say no to biscuits and honey! Enjoy the rest of your mom’s visit today!
JW
November 16, 2009 at 9:26 amJenna, I just moved to Tuscaloosa from a smaller town in Alabama. I already graduated and moved here to work at the hospital. Come back any time to visit!! Roll Tide!:)
Krissy - Single Serving
November 16, 2009 at 9:31 amLooks like you had a lovely time with your mom! Now you have me craving wine and cheese and those figs in a blanket – they look fabulous. And the rest of the dinner looks equally yummy.
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion
November 16, 2009 at 10:01 amLooks like a great day! That food looks amazing! I can why it is your favorite place 🙂
Diana
November 16, 2009 at 10:10 ammust try figs in a blanket!
Sassy Molassy
November 16, 2009 at 10:26 amBeautiful pics! Looks like you had another deeeelicious weekend.
HeatherBakes
November 16, 2009 at 11:13 amYou and your mom are so cute together! Looks like y’all are having fun 🙂
And glad to hear that you’re still a southern gal at heart!
Carolyn
November 16, 2009 at 11:52 ammouth…watering…
Christina MINDFUL LIVING
November 16, 2009 at 12:03 pmyou and your mother look so happy together! and you look soo much alike- both absolutely gorgeoussss!
on the rocks
November 16, 2009 at 12:45 pmthose fig pastries looks to die for!
Tania @ Moment Anew
November 16, 2009 at 12:59 pmI just cannot get enough figs…they take me back to being a little girl on my grandfather’s farm in northern Italy. He grew both figs and persimmons. I will definitely have to try them cooked as I have always eaten them raw!
Lisa
November 16, 2009 at 1:28 pmYou’re mom is as beautiful as you are! What a wonderful time you are having together. I recently found your blog and just love it. I am working very hard to change my lifestyle and undo some very bad habits and consequences, and your blog is very inspiring to me…in fact, you inspired me to puchase some Amazing Wheat wheat grass powder. I’d love some ideas and suggestions for what to do with it. Do you drink it “straight” mixed in water? I have put it in smoothies. Thanks!
Tiffanie Hage
November 16, 2009 at 1:58 pmYou and your momma are sooo cute! What a view, what an afternoon, what food! YUMMY to all of it!!!
Katie
November 16, 2009 at 2:03 pmSounds a great mom day! I am so jealous of the exciting things you get to do! And southern food is amaaazing, but usually not the healthiest option 😉 Great indulgence though!
Stephanie @ Foodie McFood
November 16, 2009 at 2:29 pmWow! All of that looks delicious. I love the sunday blue plate special. Sometimes you just need some good comfort food.
Kim
November 16, 2009 at 2:50 pmHey Jenna… Saw the reference to Tuscaloosa. I am from Alabama. Just wanted to send you a big Roll Tide Roll!!!
Lindsay Perrone (goodiesgalore)
November 16, 2009 at 5:27 pmYou are just beautiful.
Meghan@traveleatlove
November 16, 2009 at 6:13 pmLoving your recaps of your visit with your mom! I have posted a bunch of wine country recaps on my site this week too. Can’t get enough of it!